--- title: Powertrain Complaints by Model (NHTSA, 2012 to 2022) url: https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/data/transmission-complaints-by-model/ business: A-1 Transmission (A-1 Transmission Inc) address: 670 East Grove Street, Reno, NV 89502 phone: (775) 829-1333 hours: Monday to Friday 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, closed Saturday and Sunday type: Transmission shop and auto repair shop in Reno, Nevada, since 1968; walk-ins welcome during business hours, appointments suggested --- - [Home](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/) - [Northern Nevada vehicle data](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/data/) - Powertrain complaints by model year (NHTSA) # Powertrain complaints by model (NHTSA) Across the 42 models in the table, owners filed 242,208 complaints with NHTSA for model years 2012 to 2022, and 46,156 of them (19%) name a power train component. These are unverified owner reports and they follow sales volume. [Call (775) 829-1333](tel:+17758291333) [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=A-1+Transmission+Inc,+670+East+Grove+Street,+Reno,+NV+89502&destination_place_id=ChIJZfhkfH4_mYARqc7eV_uhOws) 1968 In business since [4.6 ★ 112 Google reviews](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=809418658926218921) ATRA Member shop M-F 7:30 am to 5:30 pm NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, takes complaints from vehicle owners, and each one names the part that is involved. This table counts the complaints that name POWER TRAIN, by model, for model years 2012 to 2022, with the model year that drew the most. - 6,212 powertrain complaints, Ford Focus - 242,208 total complaints, 42 models - 46,156 power train complaints - 19% share naming the power train **Owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name a POWER TRAIN component, model years 2012 to 2022** | Make and model | All complaints, 2012 to 2022 | Powertrain complaints | Powertrain share | Model year with the most powertrain complaints | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ford Focus | 12,611 | 6,212 | 49% | 2014 (1,597) | | Ford F-150 | 15,901 | 5,330 | 34% | 2013 (1,212) | | Jeep Cherokee | 10,085 | 5,193 | 51% | 2014 (1,471) | | Ford Escape | 15,425 | 2,717 | 18% | 2014 (481) | | Chevrolet Silverado | 10,138 | 2,168 | 21% | 2019 (343) | | Ford Fusion | 11,204 | 1,806 | 16% | 2017 (335) | | Ford Explorer | 13,747 | 1,453 | 11% | 2020 (500) | | Jeep Grand Cherokee | 9,287 | 1,448 | 16% | 2014 (475) | | Nissan Altima | 6,481 | 1,447 | 22% | 2013 (505) | | Ram 1500 | 11,742 | 1,428 | 12% | 2015 (226) | | Jeep Wrangler | 7,940 | 1,292 | 16% | 2012 (282) | | Nissan Rogue | 5,091 | 1,186 | 23% | 2013 (314) | | GMC Sierra | 5,906 | 1,113 | 19% | 2021 (162) | | Nissan Sentra | 2,876 | 1,056 | 37% | 2013 (311) | | Ford Expedition | 2,693 | 1,019 | 38% | 2020 (266) | | Chevrolet Malibu | 5,342 | 864 | 16% | 2018 (175) | | Toyota Camry | 3,752 | 767 | 20% | 2018 (201) | | Nissan Pathfinder | 2,454 | 755 | 31% | 2013 (370) | | Honda CR-V | 8,696 | 703 | 8% | 2015 (150) | | Honda Pilot | 5,768 | 662 | 11% | 2016 (201) | | Honda Accord | 8,462 | 549 | 6% | 2018 (144) | | Honda Odyssey | 4,040 | 526 | 13% | 2018 (165) | | GMC Yukon | 3,533 | 522 | 15% | 2015 (103) | | Dodge Grand Caravan | 3,605 | 512 | 14% | 2016 (251) | | Honda Civic | 5,593 | 500 | 9% | 2015 (181) | | Chevrolet Equinox | 4,644 | 497 | 11% | 2012 (84) | | Ram 2500 | 5,225 | 468 | 9% | 2018 (75) | | Subaru Outback | 6,380 | 429 | 7% | 2012 (107) | | Jeep Compass | 2,929 | 429 | 15% | 2018 (151) | | Toyota Tacoma | 1,837 | 391 | 21% | 2016 (136) | | Chevrolet Tahoe | 2,519 | 377 | 15% | 2021 (90) | | Subaru Forester | 4,447 | 356 | 8% | 2015 (95) | | Dodge Journey | 2,689 | 325 | 12% | 2016 (87) | | Toyota RAV4 | 4,197 | 316 | 8% | 2019 (80) | | GMC Terrain | 2,375 | 315 | 13% | 2019 (52) | | Ford F-250 | 4,466 | 270 | 6% | 2020 (77) | | Dodge Durango | 3,651 | 260 | 7% | 2014 (42) | | Toyota Tundra | 1,260 | 150 | 12% | 2022 (104) | | Subaru Crosstrek | 953 | 97 | 10% | 2019 (24) | | Subaru Legacy | 1,061 | 97 | 9% | 2012 (34) | | Nissan Frontier | 491 | 96 | 20% | 2022 (24) | | Lexus RX | 712 | 55 | 8% | 2016 (13) | Source: [NHTSA vehicle owner complaints database (api.nhtsa.gov), model years 2012 to 2022, read October 18, 2026](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). Owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defect findings. Popular models draw more complaints because more of them are on the road. On a phone the table shows the key columns. Turn the phone sideways or use a computer to see every column. ## What the table shows Each row has the make and model, all complaints for model years 2012 to 2022, the power train complaints, the power train share and the model year with the most power train complaints. The largest counts belong to the Ford Focus (6,212), Ford F-150 (5,330) and Jeep Cherokee (5,193), and the highest shares to the Cherokee (51%), Focus (49%) and Expedition (38%). Across all 42 models, model year 2014 has the most power train complaints (6,918) and 2022 the fewest (1,528), which partly reflects how little time newer vehicles have had to collect reports. ## How it was made The counts come from NHTSA's public complaint data through its programming interface, pulled in October 2026. Model names were matched across the spelling variants NHTSA uses, such as F-150 Regular Cab and Super Crew, and complaints were counted once by their ODI number. The Silverado and Sierra rows include all weights, and the Cherokee row excludes the Grand Cherokee. The power train count includes every complaint whose components list POWER TRAIN, a category wider than the transmission that also takes in related driveline parts. ## Limits of the data A complaint is a report by an owner, not a finding by NHTSA that a part is defective. Counts rise with the number of vehicles sold, so a popular model will lead any ranking. The table does not show the number of vehicles in use, so it cannot give a rate. The table cannot say why a model year draws more reports. Newer model years have had less time to collect reports. None of this says why a part failed or whether it was repaired. For these reasons the table is a way to see where owner reports are concentrated, not to compare reliability. For recalls and service bulletins that apply to your own vehicle, enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall page. ## Where to read more Make pages explain the rows in more detail: [Ford](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/ford/), [Chevrolet and GMC](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/chevrolet-gmc/), [Dodge and Ram](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/dodge-ram/), [Toyota and Lexus](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/toyota-lexus/), [Jeep](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/jeep/), [Honda](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/honda/), [Subaru](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/subaru/) and [Nissan](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/vehicles/nissan/). The guide to [signs your transmission needs attention](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/guides/signs-your-transmission-is-failing/) covers what to watch for. ### Sources - [NHTSA vehicle owner complaints and recalls](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) - [NHTSA datasets and APIs](https://www.nhtsa.gov/nhtsa-datasets-and-apis) More data ## Other data pages [Vehicles per household in Northern Nevada Washoe County households average 1.96 vehicles, Nevada 1.84 and the U.S.](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/data/vehicles-per-household/)[Automotive technicians in the Reno area The Reno metro area had 1,580 automotive service technicians and mechanics in May 2025, with a median annual wage of 50,190 dollars (BLS OEWS).](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/data/auto-technicians-reno/)[Vehicle age and how Northern Nevada drives The average light vehicle on U.S. roads was 12.8 years old in 2025, cars 14.5 and light trucks 11.9 (S&P Global Mobility).](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/data/vehicle-age-and-driving/) Answers ## Questions drivers ask Still have a question? Call [(775) 829-1333](tel:+17758291333) during shop hours. More answers are on the [questions page](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/faq/). ### What does power train mean on an NHTSA complaint? It is one of the component categories an owner picks. It covers the transmission and other parts that carry power to the wheels. ### Does a high count mean a model is unreliable? No. Counts track sales, and complaints are unverified. ### Why are the newest model years low? They have had less time to collect reports. ### Can I use this table? Yes, with credit to NHTSA and a link to this page. ## Not shifting right? 670 East Grove Street, Reno, NV 89502 Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm [What to tell us when you call](https://a1transmissionrenonv.com/call/) [(775) 829-1333](tel:+17758291333)